Who Will Make the Snow?
by Taras Prokhasko; Marjana Prokhasko
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Pub Date 12 Dec 2023 | Archive Date 13 Oct 2023
Archipelago | Elsewhere Editions
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Description
The two newest moles in the forest learn to dig themselves out of their comfort zones and experience the boundless, unpredictable world around them—a Social Emotional Learning adventure
Twin moles, Purr and Craw, are born on the first day of spring. The newest members of their woodland world, they’re curious about everything. What is swimming? Why does mother speak French as she makes pancakes? What does father scrawl in his notebook? Do animals live in the sea? Why do grownups eat smelly cheese? How do we get better when we're sick? What happens when we die? As they start to grow up, every day is filled with another adventure as they explore the peculiar characters that surround them in the forest. Home is always waiting for them, filled with the clacking of father’s typewriter, the sound of mother playing her upright bass, and the smells of quince jam and medicinal moss brews. During their adventures outside the home, they learn that the world is sometimes scarier, stranger and more dangerous than it seemed from the pocket of their father’s coat. Each new encounter leaves Purr and Craw a little braver and wiser and with a few extra friends. Beautifully illustrated with scenes of mischief and discovery by Marjana Prohasko, Who Will Make the Snow? reminds us that the world is always larger and more wonderful than we can see from our own corner of the woods.
Advance Praise
"Marjana Prokhasko's illustrations are beautifully textured and atmospheric. The characters draw you into their whimsical world, a place I would like to stay! There are so many sweet details throughout – a feast for the eyes and a delight for the inquisitive reader (or mole)!"
--Esmé Shapiro, author of Alma and the Beast
"Beech Forest has the same Utopian charm of the Hundred Acre Wood and Moominvalley, and like those settings I would very much like to settle down, read the news in The Daily Mole, and visit friends at Under the Oak Cafe. It's not that nothing bad happens here, it's just that life's movements follow the seasons and all challenges are faced bravely and in community. Taras's story has the feel of a classic with a contemporary generosity, especially thanks to a lift from Dralyuk and Croft's superb translation, and Marjana's textured illustrations are expressive, often gorgeous, and full of delightful details."
-– Timothy Otte, Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis
"In a small community that feels a bit like the Hundred Acre Wood, a large family of moles—which called to mind my father’s enormous Catholic family of origin—welcomes a pair of twins. It is spring, and the book will follow the family through the rest of the seasons with a delightful series of vignettes. The stories are incredibly charming and wholesome, timeless yet feminist (see Mama Mole). The illustrations are stunning—unique and unforgettable. Over the course of a year, the two youngest moles learn so much—namely, how to be brave. Who Will Make the Snow? is a standout treasure. Bonus points: it introduced me to both an intriguing Ukrainian writer and an intriguing Ukrainian visual artist."
--Mary Wahlmeier Bracciano, Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, KS
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781953861740 |
PRICE | US$22.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 72 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I received an electronic ARC from Archipelago through NetGalley.
Sweetly written story about a mole family with thirteen children. Readers follow the adventures of the newest twins and their brothers as they explore the woods and make new friends. Prokhasko writes about their daily life and readers will feel like they are in the burrow and along for adventures too. The illustrations capture the overall action and characters. Mid elementary readers will appreciate the writing style and chapter breakdown.
This was a lovely story! I enjoyed it! It was too old for my daughter, but she liked looking at the pictures and listening to it!
It was such a fun experience! I needed something fresh and cosy like this book and it didn’t disappoint me at all.
The story of these moles has the power to fill your heart, making you feel part of the forest itself. The drawings helped me to get through the setting, they surely make the reader to appreciate the surroundings which are extremely homely and pleasant. I loved to read about the animals’ lives during the different seasons, they behaved as a human family, living in a human town full of love and kindness.
I can’t help but suggest you to read this novel even if you’re not a child.
It warms your heart and it’s perfect when you’re in a reading slump. The atmosphere and the plot can make you forget reality, letting you relax and enjoy being a kid again.
I like the book because of the way it reminds me of children's books from days gone-by. The illustration is lovely and the story is lovely. I am just not sure what age group is this supposed to be for. The vocabulary and the storyline seem to suggest that it targets the KS1 group but it is a bit wordy for this age group.
This is such a cozy winter early reader. The illustrations helped establish the setting and mood of the story. Fun read!
This is a story about a family of moles, including the newest twin moles who were born on the first day of Spring. Naturally, they are curious about the world and question their father and mother often, wanting to know what the others are talking about, and everything there is to know.
As time passes, they begin to be able to safely explore their surroundings, seeing what is in the forest, what other animals make the forest their home, learning more about their surroundings every day, and happy to return home when they have satisfied that day’s curiosity. They share their adventures with the others when they return, and they learn that they need to be careful, since there are other creatures and other things out there who could be dangerous. As they become more familiar with their surroundings they realize just how many new friends they have made, and how much they’ve learned in their journeys and how wonderful the world can be.
While this story is charming on its own, the lovely illustrations really add a dimension to this story as well, which will draw in both the youngest readers as well as parents and grandparents.
Pub Date: 14 Nov 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Archipelago, Elsewhere Editions
This book is perfect for cozy season. The art is so cool, and lends a feeling to the story that feels very immersive and earthy. I loved the story of this little (or should I say large?) mole family. I went into this expecting a children's book, but this read a bit older and wordier — so I'm not sure what the intended age range is.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is so sweet, it embodies love and friendship, having sweet messages for grieving children too (where the snow comes from). I also really liked the images as the sketches gave it a more rustic and homey feel but they were still very detailed.
This is a delightful and whimsical children's story of a family of moles who welcome twins in the Spring and explore the changing seasons as they go on adventures within their forest community. Written in 2013 in the Ukraine, this edition represents the first English translated edition. The illustrations were just beautiful and hearken back to the world of Beatrix Potter and Winnie the Pooh. There was a surprising amount of text and actual chapters with such complex words as cauldron. I'm not sure of the targeted age group, but I can certainly imagine a precocious youngster learning a whole host of new words from this charming animal adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Archipelago for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This is a beautiful story about family and has gorgeous illustrations. I didn’t realize that this was going to be a chapter book. I feel this book is better suited for a read aloud but since there are chapters it’s very long, so it should be read over a few days in order to keep children’s attention.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC ebook!
A beautiful and sweet story about two moles who learn to move out of their comfort zone and experience the world around them. Purr and Craw are two moles who begin to learn to explore new things and find new experiences. This was a really sweet read and the artwork was cute.
*Thanks Netgalley and Archipelago, Elsewhere Editions for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
"Who Will Make the Snow" is a heartwarming and whimsical children's book. It tells the story of a family of moles, whose two new pups were born on the first day of spring. As they grow up, surrounded by their lovingly family and friends, the two little moles discover each season, how the forest change throughout the year, and enjoy each moment.
The illustrations are really lovely and made the story feel even cosier. I'm sure kids reading this book will enjoy spotting all the little details in the moles' house, the forest, the Under the Oak Café…!
I'm not completely sure who the target audience might be though—either a child who's already used to reading alone (the book has several chapters, which makes it easier to pause and continue later), or one whose parents can read the story to.
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I definitely recommend that cute story for the autumn and winter seasons!
At first I wasn't sure about this one -- I expected it to have more pictures instead of being a chapter book and I wasn't sure if my son would want to read it with the limited pictures and lots of text. Also moles aren't what I think of as thrilling content for a four year old, particularly my vehicle loving one, but he asked to read this every single night until we were done. I found myself really excited to read the book. The descriptions of the moles, their homes, their family, the food they ate, etc. were like a big, warm hug. It was the absolute perfect fall read. I would highly recommend for ages 4-10; I think this does such a good job of spanning so many ages. Even if you think you or your kiddo might not gravitate towards this one, like I did, I would highly recommend giving it a shot. You might love it as much as we did! This would be great as a gift, classroom read aloud, classroom library, or school library addition.
An adventurous tale told from the eyes of a family of moles, with wonderful illustrations (some large double page spreads) and many lessons learned along the way. It was a little long winded and wordy for my little one who is almost 3 years old, so imagine it would appeal to older children. There is more than enough mayhem and exploration to keep them interested!
"Don't be afraid --- the world's a little tough, but it's interesting this way..."
Spend an exciting year with two young moles as they experience all the wonders that each passing season brings to their lives.
There's a real The Wind in the Willows feel to this translated tale, and I suspect it would also appeal to Moomin fans. It's a little text-heavy for a picture book, but it would make a wonderful curl-up-and-read-together story. This is an utterly charming tale with sweet illustrations.
The ending made me cry a bit as I used to fall asleep to the tap-tap-tap of my dad's typewriter.
A lovely cute Christmas book about two moles Purr and Craw who are curious about everything. They live going off on adventures to discover the world around them with varying results. They meet a whole host of lovely creatures along the way and my grandchildren were delighted with the book.
This one is adorable, beautiful, comforting, delightful, heartwarming, and so very whimsical! It tells the story of a family of moles, whose newest members are Purr and Crawly, twin moles born on the first day of spring.
As we follow the twins and the rest of the family, we learn and discover a lot. From how things grow to how to be bold. The stories delight and inform while the artwork inspires coziness and nostalgic warmth, making it a great winter read. Well, an all-round the year anytime read for anyone actually!
A treasure indeed. I look forward to more from this Ukranian duo – Taras Prokhasko and Marjana Prokhasko.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the digital copy of this book
In a year's worth of seasons, readers get to know the mole family and their 13 children. Mama Mole is a musician and Papa Mole writes the daily newspaper. The Mole children discover the world around them from hatching bird eggs, to swimming beavers, adopting a hare and who makes the snow? Gentle illustrations accompany the text.
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